Larson Takes on the Daunting ‘Double’ at Indy and Charlotte
In the world of Indycar, the feat known as ‘The Double‘ is a daunting task that only a select few have attempted. This Memorial Day Weekend, Kyle Larson will become the fifth driver to take on the challenge, following in the footsteps of legends like Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, John Andretti, and Robby Gordon.
As part of his maiden Indianapolis 500, Larson will start fifth in the No. 17 Arrow McLaren-Rick Hendrick Chevrolet before heading to Charlotte for the 600-mile Cup race.
Only Tony Stewart has successfully completed all 1,100 miles of ‘The Double’, finishing sixth in the Indy 500 and third in Charlotte in 2001. This year, Larson hopes to join that exclusive club, and Cole Pearn, a seasoned NASCAR Cup Series veteran, believes he has the talent to do so.
“The talent level is high,” Pearn told Motorsport.com. “Obviously, Larson, but so many of those guys right now I think could do it. Kyle could do it, for sure. Some of these younger guys seem to be getting a hold of it better and better.”
Pearn, who was a key part of guiding Martin Truex Jr. to the 2017 Cup championship, has a unique perspective on both the Indy 500 and NASCAR Cup Series, having participated in the Indy 500 with Ed Carpenter Racing in 2020.
When asked about other Cup Series drivers who could make a successful transition to the Indy 500, Pearn named a few promising candidates:
- Ryan Blaney
- Chase Elliott
- Christopher Bell
“I think (Ryan) Blaney, (Chase) Elliott, and that crew could do it,” he said. “And I think Christopher Bell would be one. I think he could potentially be really good in any car. He’s crazy talented.”
Bell, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, has impressed Pearn with his skills, particularly in the aero department.
“I still work with Gibbs, and I get to see it a little bit,” Pearn said. “Everything I’ve seen of him is nothing but impressive, for sure.”
As the Indycar 2023 season heats up, fans will be keeping a close eye on Larson’s attempt at ‘The Double’, and speculating about which other drivers might be up for the challenge in the future. With the Indy 500 schedule set to kick off on Sunday, one thing is certain – only a select few have what it takes to conquer the iconic ‘Double’.
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